reasons someone might say "my partner":
• they're long-term but not married
• they're bi/pan and want to identify w that even if they're straight-passing
• they're talking about a cowboy they know
• they want to respect their nb partner who isn't publicly out https://twitter.com/mystmilano/status/1361167442693783554

• they want to normalize it for queer people so "partner" doesn't automatically imply queerness
• they're about to rob a bank and are referring to their partners in crime
• they're about to rob a bank (with a bisexual cowboy)
• they just prefer the word partner! who cares

i don't usually engage w these takes but this one always gets me Riled Up

even ignoring all the above reasons (i'm the bi one)

i just don't love the word boyfriend/girlfriend because it makes me feel like i'm a teenager in my first relationship and not I Have Been Living With This Person For Three Years

TWITTER NUANCE ADDENDUM RE: "STRAIGHT-PASSING"

i meant that the relationship was "straight-passing"-- however, i recognize that puts weight on people in the relationship "appearing straight" as opposed to putting the blame on heteronormative assumptions made by others

thanks to those who brought it up in replies/quote RTs!